Children fear for life of father being denied adaquate medical treatment in Israeli prison

21.07.09 - 12:05
Jenin / PNN – Fifty year old Ali Al Safori is suffering from an unknown disease causing swellings across his face and body.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society on called for the occupying administration to provide medical care. The man’s family reports that his condition is critically serious.
The prisoners’ rights organization is calling for him to be transferred to a hospital or be able to receive a visit from the Red Cross before he suffers life-threatening complications.
The occupying administration has so far refused to allow any organizations to visit the middle-aged man for a medical examination.
His son, Mohammed Al Safori, described his father as “dramatically changed” by the disease.
“I have seen tumors and swellings in his face… His suffering began seven months ago when he noticed small swellings and demanded to see a specialist for treatment. The administration neglected my father and only submitted his case to the prison doctor, who only gave him painkiller tablets.” Mohammad Al Safori told PPS. The Israeli prison administration is known for doling out Ecomol tablets, similar to Tylenol, for most medical conditions.
His son reports, “This did not help him and now the disease has spread to the rest of his body.”
Al Safori was taken to a prison hospital just once for blood tests, but was never informed of the results. After his return to his cell, the occupation refused to allow doctors to visit or contact him.
Mohammed added that he been prevented from taking photographs of his father so that images of his condition would not reach the media.
Al Safori was arrested in Jenin Refugee Camp during the major attacks of 2002, and given five life sentences by a military court. His home has been demolished and family are allowed to visit him only once every six months.
Mohammed called for pressure to be put on authorities to get treatment to his father. “I appeal for all institutions and bodies to adopt this cause… we have the ability to cover the costs of treatment, because it is most important for us to put a stop to the suffering of my father, who has lost the ability even to sleep. This disease is killing him.”